SSDI

[Sumanadevii]

We received a letter from SSDI stating that I am disabled.  They back dated it to June 07.  I stopped working in May of 04.  It also said I had passed all the medical to be eligible for disability.  However, it also states it will be another three weeks while they check "non medical" issues.  Any idea what that means?

Does it also mean that because they back dated the diability that my not working over the past six years will not count for the work credts I needed?  I had worked well over ten years before the date of 07.

Confused!  

[Lulu54]

Sumana - thanks for the answer on what will be considered for your work history and what will be paid.  now do someting kind for yourself with a bit of those funds.  Congrats again on finding a way to get the system to work with you.  

These programs - SSDI and SSI and SS are all meant to help us when we need it the most - misfortune, disability and retirement.  I am always heartened to read when it works.

The reference to SSI as "welfare" comes directly from the SS attorney teleconference last month.  There  should be no stigma attached to the word - if we need help, we need help.  It is a word that is meant to promote the well-being of people who need assistance.

Be well, Lulu

[tonyad]

  
    There are many people who do receive SSI. I know of  a few on this Forum!  I would Not Label them as being on Welfare though as this could be offending / embarrassing to some and they have No need to feel embarrassed about getting anything!  While it is for those who are who may have low income but this is also for the Elderly, the Blind, and so on.    

     What is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a monthly benefit for people who have worked in the past and paid Social Security taxes. SSDI benefits are paid to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of their disability.

     What is the DIFFERENCES between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
The medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, and the same process is used for both programs to determine your client's disability.

    Supplemental Security Income is a program run by Social Security that pays monthly benefits to the elderly, the blind and people who have disabilities and very low income. If your client is receiving SSI, he/she will also most likely qualify for food stamps and Medicaid, too. While non-medical eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on prior work under Social Security, SSI disability payments are based on income and resource specifications.

     ALso, Social Security will also review ones case periodically.

Social Security will periodically review your client's case to see whether he/she is still disabled. The frequency of the reviews depends on the expectation of recovery.

* If medical improvement is "expected," your client's case will be reviewed within six to 18 months.
* If medical improvement is "possible," your client's case will be reviewed in three years.
* If medical improvement is "not expected," your client's case will be reviewed in seven years.

Here is a link:
http://www.cms.gov/apps/firststep/content/ssdi-qa.html

Congrats to you for getting approved!  That helps to take a stressor out of your life :)
Have a Great weekend,
~Tonya
    

[twopack]

Congratulation!  Now that's what I call paying it forward :)

Mary

[Sumanadevii]

Well, I have the answer!!  It means the back pay check shows up in your account the next day!!!  It does have a 12 month cap.  

What a surprise for us!  We never thought we would see a dime from social security disability as I hadn't worked for six years.  WOW!  Today I brag on how fast they were to serve me.

[Sailorsong]

The June 2007 mean that they will count your work credits going back from then. You need 40 work credits of which 20 of them are within the 10 years before onset of disability.

I do vaguely remember something about a 1 year cap, but not sure if that was for SSDI, SSI, or both.

I also think they use an average of income credit to determine what amount you will get.

Dennis

[twopack]

I know very little about this topic except from Lulu's terrific notes on the seminar she attended and my annual statement of projected future benefits from the Social Security Administration.

I worked for many years, had a period of several years when I didn't work, and then picked up earning income again.  The years I didn't work are just listed as $0 income.  I don't think I was penalized but I have no idea of the formula for determining benefit levels.  Whether the income is averaged over years worked vs years eligible to work vs lifetime earnings vs some other method, could make a big difference.  I just know I haven't reached the maximum payout level to date.

I beleive you can use your husband's eligible earnings (payments into SS reality) unless he is using them himself.  I'm also not sure if the benefit is as high for a spouse as it is for the primary.

Seems a lot like the lottery and stock market.  No use trying to predict the final payout.  Somebody else gets to manipulate the abacus beads while you finger your worry beads.

Mary

[Sumanadevii]

No, they backdated it to June of 07 but I understood that SSDI has a cap of one year backpay.  I could be wrong.

[Lulu54]

I'm confused ... you wrote that it was SSDI and backdated it to June 07 - I thought you meant June 2007.  Are you saying June 07, 2010?

Are you getting SSDI or SSI?  There is a big difference in not only back pay, but also future benefits.

[Sumanadevii]

I think you have SSI and SSDI confused.  SSDI only back dates pay for one year.

You know, I wonder if I was awarded this so quickly based on age?  We were ready to sink our heels in for a two year fight to win SSDI.  I think now about young mothers that need the help and end up in court battles over it for two and three years ....errrr..not that I am complaining about mine....

[RedFlame]

The good news is that the difficult part is over and you have been awarded SSDI.  

Investigating your finances is the next step, they want to find any resources you may have plus your income before your disability.  Like Lu said they will use past quarters to figure your payment amount.  SSDI doesn't care about assets, SSI does.

You will receive medicare too.  You won't have to wait for their usual 18 months becuase your disability is dated so far back.  Medicare will make your life easier too.  You might want to start looking at which provider you want to go with for your Part D,  the drug coverage portion.  

You might want to tuck away a bit for co-pays on large items.  There will be copays on walkers and wheelchairs.  I'm sorry I don't remember your current mobility status.  

Getting that nice big check will be fun---and what a relief.  And definately see an attorney before spending all of it.  

Your award will be large-----so do something wonderful for yourself too, a shopping spree, something you wanted but couldn't afford!!

Congratulations!!

Red

[Lulu54]

It is confusing, isn't it?  If I got this right, and someone will correct me if I don't - the work history is not necessarily the current, but the cumulative eligible quarters you worked.  But I may be totally wrong about this.

The SSDI  amount is based on your contributions to Social Security while you worked.  This is different than SSI (welfare), which is based on need and not dependent on work history and contributions to SS.  this amount could also be based on your spouse's earning history if he paid in more than you and he is either deceased/retired/disabled himself.

I would think the non-medical issues would be verification of the amount you will get each month for SSDI along with other bureaucratic paperwork.  

Keep in mind before you get excited about that big check, since you will get one large one for all the back disability owed   (over 3 years worth) you will be responsible for taxes on that amount.  So don't spend it all until you know the tax liability.  

A quick consultation with an attorney may be in your best interests if you still have questions after you receive your benefits.

Congratulations on getting this done - it stinks that you have MS, but i am glad to hear the system works, albeit slowly.

Lu